MidTerms: It’s Time For Us To Put Up Or Shut Up

The mid-terms are almost here. Only someone who is totally oblivious and/or apathetic to politics, or just plain lives in a cave somewhere, isn’t aware of this and how important this particular election is to the Republic.

I don’t feel that’s hyperbole on my part. During election night 2016, if you are a spiritual person, then you know you could feel that millions were praying. I personally felt the same way during the Kavanaugh hearings. You really could feel a spiritual battle was going on. Now, it’s time to fight another.

Consider this spiritual reality as found in James: “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith and have not works?” (James 2:14) ”Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” (v. 17) ”But wilt thou know, o vain man, that faith without works is dead?” (v.20) Read the entire portion these verses are found in at James 2:14-20.

The point is, we as Christians and as conservatives, have a lot of work to do. At the very least, that “work” is constantly being vigilant, educating ourselves on the issues (as well as what the other side is saying), and discussing the importance of voting to any and all who will listen. In some cases, our “works” can be taking someone who is elderly or homebound to their polling place. Whatever it takes to get the vote out for conservatives. Granted, some of this will be inconvenient, but conservative Christians have got to make a stand beyond just the spiritual aspect.

What if Moses had only prayed about freeing his people from captivity and never bothered to actually confront Pharaoh?

What if David had only prayed for Goliath and the Philistines to have a change of heart and simply just leave the battle field?

What if Paul had only prayed for his vision to be restored after his encounter on the Damascus road and never bothered to travel to spread the gospel?

Okay, so these are only a few examples and might be in the extreme, but I’ve chosen to mention them to show that spiritual people whom God has called are willing to back up their faith with action, no matter the cost.

I just finished reading Hitler’s Cross by Erwin W. Lutzer, which systematically chronicles how the Christian church in 1930s Germany was overpowered and eventually overrun by the Nazis.

“While watching movie clips from Hitler’s Germany…how different it all would have been if Christians had remembered that eternity is more important than time.” (p.67)

Lutzer details the incremental steps the Nazis took to deny Christians any real power. And in many cases, imprison and even execute Christian pastors and lay leaders.

According to Lutzer, one of the first steps was taking advantage of the complacency many Christians have towards politics. “(There are those) in America today who believe that we should retreat from our cultural battles in favor of simply ‘preaching the gospel’ and staying out of politics.” (p.140)

Empirically, we are seeing on a daily basis what such an attitude has already caused. The political correctness that has ruined higher education is now down into high schools and even to some grade school levels. It’s beginning to take root in society at large as well. This is of course the plan. “…the attitudes of a nation can change if enough people say the same thing often enough. Lies often end up as laws.” (p. 151)

Lutzer puts this further emphasis on the end result of political correctness: “…only those who are blind to the realities around us today can deny…that Hitler’s Germany as ominous warnings for the United States…the goal is total control — the complete submission of the church to the arbitrary whims of the political establishment.” (p. 253)

Lutzer calls this power grab by the Left for control an “ideological megashift.” He’s correct and that’s an excellent phrase for the empirical evidence we’re seeing daily.

But I think that “megashift” can work both ways. Every one of us still has a voice and we still have free speech. In my small way with these Clash Daily articles, I’ve rattled enough cages to earn some hate mail (well, emails actually). I’ve been called a Pharisee, judgmental, un-Christian, self-centered, and even a couple things we can’t print here. What’s been thrown my way is nothing compared to what folks like Ben Shapiro and Ann Coulter have dealt with. I haven’t yet been chased from a restaurant or been physically assaulted as some have.

You might have noticed that I tend to use the word “empirical” a lot. If you haven’t figured out what it means, by definition it’s relying on experience or observation, or can also denote something that can be either verified or disproved by observation or experiment. Or, in semi-plain English…hands on, day to day, real world experience verses only academic experience (i.e. “book learning” only.) Including, of course, what you are seeing happen right in front of you with your own eyes.

Also in plain English…PAY ATTENTION…to what the Left is doing and saying. Election night 2016 was a battle, the Kavanaugh hearings were the same, as will be the mid-terms. Individual battle victories are important, but be aware that we’re in a long term war.

Now is the time to act, to be involved beyond just the spiritual. Remember James 2:20″…faith without works is dead.”

CONTINUING SHAMELESS SELF PROMOTION

The single “Runnin'” from my solo CD SALT has been getting some chart action. Rottweiler Records recently brought it to my attention that “Runnin’ “ has had some weekly chartings on the CMW Loud chart, which is online Christian music chart. Personally, I never thought my kind of material (prog rock with a jazz influence) would get on any charts, anywhere, so I didn’t pay much attention. I’m more than surprised and really thankful for everyone who has supported SALT so far. And, if you haven’t gotten a copy yet, it’s still available through the label, www.RottweilerRecords.com as well as major sources such as Amazon, Bandcamp, Noisetrade, etc. And continue to check out my personal FB page, www.facebook.com/DeGroffProjects. Thanks for your support.

John DeGroff is the original bass player for the Christian rock band Petra. He currently plays for the band GHF which is comprised of other original members from Petra. DeGroff has extensive experience as a freelance music journalist and newspaper reporter as well as an on-line music reviewer. He is a member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and lives in Warsaw, Indiana where he is employed as a care giver for mentally challenged adults.

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